A bit of preparation before your scaffolding crew arrives can make a real difference — it speeds up the job, protects your belongings, and helps keep the site safe for everyone. Most scaffolding teams will appreciate a clear run at the work area, and in some cases a cluttered site can delay the job or even create a safety hazard under WorkSafe NZ guidelines.
Why Site Preparation Matters
Scaffolding is heavy, bulky work. Tubes, boards, and fittings need to be carried, stacked, and erected close to your home's exterior walls. If the access path or work zone is cluttered, the crew has to stop and shift things themselves — which takes time you're likely paying for. More importantly, a clear site reduces the risk of trips, falls, and accidental damage to your property.
Clear the Access Path
The first priority is making sure the crew can actually get their gear to the work area. Before they arrive:
- Move vehicles out of the driveway and off the grass verge if the truck needs to park close to the house.
- Unlock gates and prop them open — scaffolding tubes can be 6 metres long and need a clear, straight run through.
- Remove wheelie bins, garden hoses, and tools stored along the side of the house.
- Trim back overhanging branches if they block access — let your scaffolder know in advance if there's significant vegetation, as they may need to plan around it.
Move Garden Furniture and Outdoor Items
Anything sitting near the walls of your home should be shifted well clear — ideally at least 2–3 metres away from the building's perimeter:
- Outdoor tables, chairs, and loungers
- BBQs and smokers
- Pot plants and garden ornaments
- Children's play equipment close to the house
- Firewood stacks or timber piles
Scaffolding bases (called base plates or sole boards) need to sit flat and stable on the ground. Anything underneath them can cause the scaffold to be uneven or unstable, which is a serious safety issue.
Protect Garden Beds and Lawn Areas
Scaffolding feet will be placed directly on the ground, and crew members will be walking repeatedly along the same paths. If you have garden beds close to the house:
- Lay down plywood sheets or scaffold boards over delicate plantings to spread the load (ask your scaffolder if they carry these).
- Accept that some lawn compaction is likely — it usually recovers within a few weeks.
- Move any irrigation heads or pop-up sprinklers that could be damaged underfoot.
Shift Items Inside the Boundary Line
Don't forget to look beyond the immediate work area:
- Clotheslines near the house should be cleared of washing and, if possible, folded down.
- Satellite dishes or external aerials at low level may need to be temporarily removed — check with your scaffolder beforehand.
- Security cameras or sensor lights in the work zone may need repositioning so the crew doesn't accidentally knock them.
- Pet enclosures or kennels should be moved away from the scaffold footprint for the safety of your animals.
Talk to Your Neighbours
If the scaffold will extend over a boundary fence or require access from a neighbouring property, have that conversation early. In New Zealand, you may need your neighbour's permission to enter their land, even briefly. Your scaffolding contractor should be able to advise you on this — and in some situations a formal access agreement may be needed.
Check for Underground Services
Before the crew drives any ground anchors or stakes (sometimes used for tied scaffolding), make sure you know where your underground services run — water pipes, gas lines, and electrical cables. You can contact your local council or use a service locator. MBIE Building Performance has general guidance on building site safety obligations that applies here.
Protect Interior Spaces Near Access Points
If the crew will be passing through your home to access a roof space or internal area:
- Lay down drop sheets or old carpet offcuts to protect floors.
- Move fragile items away from doorways and hallways.
- Keep pets and children well away from the work area for the duration of the erection and dismantling.
When to Call a Professional
Scaffolding erection and dismantling is skilled, physical work that must be carried out by trained and competent scaffolders. In New Zealand, scaffolding of 5 metres or more in height is classified as restricted scaffolding work and must be designed and supervised by a Certified Scaffolder or Advanced Scaffolder under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 and WorkSafe NZ regulations. Never attempt to erect or modify scaffold yourself. If you're unsure whether your project requires a specific scaffold type or consent, speak to a qualified scaffolding contractor — you can find local scaffolders on tradedirectory.co.nz.
Safety note: Once scaffold is erected, do not move, remove, or modify any part of it. Even shifting a single board can compromise the structural integrity of the whole system.
